This lady due for some luck

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Bad posts and bad bobs have combined to beat Naissance Royale in her last two starts, but she has an excellent chance to get back to the winner's circle on Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the Grade 3, $100,000 Suwannee River Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile grass race for older fillies and mares.

Naissance Royale drew the rail in the 10-horse field, which should enable jockey Edgar Prado to work out a decent trip. Prado had no luck at all on Naissance Royale in Gulfstream's Marshua's River on Jan. 13, when they were caught wide the whole way from post 9. Nassaince Royale closed strongly, but came up a half-length short.

"She was much the best last time out, but she did not have the best trip," her trainer, Christophe Clement, said Thursday afternoon. "She was wide all the way. She had a terrible draw. This is a much better draw."

In her previous race, Naissance Royale shipped to Hollywood Park, where she lost by a nose in the Dahlia Handicap. Prado won twice on her in three tries last year.

Naissance Royale, 5, is set to be retired this spring, Clement said. Saturday's race might be her last, or she could race once more, he said.

J'ray also comes into the Suwannee River off a pair of tough losses. She was second in the Mrs. Revere at Churchill and the Frances Genter at Calder. Her late-running style suits this course.

Trainer Marty Wolfson sends out both Brazilian and Potra Clasica. Brazilian returned from an eight-month layoff to capture the Lemhi Go at Calder on Dec. 31, her fourth win from just seven starts.

"I was really happy with the way Brazilian came off the pace the other day," Wolfson said.

Potra Clasica ran twice on the dirt at Calder after returning from a five-month layoff. Her last victory was on turf. Rafael Bejarano will ride her for the first time.

"Bejarano should fit Potra Clasica very well," Wolfson said.

Nottawasaga comes off a powerful victory over this course in a third-level allowance on Jan. 13. This is a significant step in class, but her last race was the best of her career.

Cursora is returning to the turf after a pair of losses on dirt.

Baleriana is an import from Peru who is making her first start in this country. She was a cut below when facing group stakes runners in South America, and her wide draw does not help her cause.

- additional reporting by Mike Welsch